Fairness seems like a good thing to go by in a family. Everyone should have the same thing, the same amounts or an equal substitute. When my sister and I had to share a candy bar or brownie we instituted the "you cut, I choose" plan. Whoever cut would try to make sure it was exactly even and whoever chose would try to get the bigger piece. The problem is that it can't always be fair in a family or in life.
But do you know what I have come to realize? Fairness breeds selfishness. If someone else has something, then I deserve something of equal or greater value. When we were cutting the candy bar we weren't being careful to cut it even so it would be fair, we were trying to make sure the other person didn't get MORE!
I find myself buying into this even as an adult. My neighbor is taking their family to Disneyworld (on an airplane - no van with a junky trailer behind it!) Our friends have expensive toys. The list goes on and on. Then the pity party comes on that we can't afford to go on fancy trips or have fancy toys and you know what - IT ISN'T FAIR!
I want to train my kids to realize that Johnny gets to go to Disneyworld so let's be happy for him. We have to share a candy bar, well let's be gracious and give the bigger piece away. What do we have to complain about? We have a great house to live in , food to eat and clothes to wear. God has provided for us. In the end maybe we are saying to God "What you've given me isn't good enough. I want what you gave them instead."
1 Timothy 6:17-19
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant
nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain,
but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
In this way they will lay up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age,
so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."
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3 comments:
Good lesson! There's always going to be someone prettier, someone thinner, someone smarter and someone richer. I still haven't learned this one yet!
Well, this one is coming from the sister that I did the "you cut, I choose" with. We are a lot better at sharing now!
This is especially hard during the summer, when everyone else goes on vacation, and your kids want to know why we can't go. It's hard for kids to understand, and even I am feeling like I would love to go on vacation too.
So every day I try to remind myself and the boys what we do have, and how God has always provided what we need, and we are thankful for that, especially that we are all healthy.
The things we take for granted we need to be thankful for and give to those who are less fortunate than we are.
I love these blogs every day Michelle, you are doing a great job!
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